Scania’s Young Australian Truck Driver of the Year 2010 competition will take place on 20 November at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, where 12 finalists will go head to head for their shot at glory.
Each of the finalists was able to successfully complete the first task, a web-based test of their knowledge of driving, road and safety rules as well as give a convincing explanation of how to improve the public’s view of professional truck drivers.
During the next stage of the competition at Flemington, finalists will be able to demonstrate their driving and manoeuvring skills behind the wheel of the International Truck of the Year 2010, the Scania R-series, while pulling a Freighter or MaxiCube trailer.
Finalists are required to demonstrate that they have the skills and positive attitudes of responsible heavy truck drivers as they complete these tests which also include driving on the open road.
Finalists will also undertake theory testing and a mock media interview.
The winner of the Scania YATD 2010 National Final will collect $10,000 from Scania, a travel voucher to the value of $4000 from Castrol and an Orrefors crystal glass trophy made in Sweden.
The runner up will receive a trip for two to the Transport Hall of Fame in Alice Springs.
The finalists (in alphabetical order) are:
• Chris Cartwright, (VIC)
• Richard Clarke (VIC)
• John Dorrington (NSW)
• Michael Fowler (NSW)
• Nick Hornby (NT)
• Jarrad Jeffs (VIC)
• Rick Lockwood (WA)
• Daniel McGlade (VIC)
• Paul Newman (QLD)
• Christopher Paciorek (ACT)
• Jola Ramsay (NSW)
• Jonathan Thomas (SA)
Scania YATD 2010 is modelled on an international driver competition which is held in more than 18 countries and in 2010 attracted more than 10,000 entrants under the age of 35.
The European final was recently held with Swedish 26-year-old Andreas Söderström taking out the Scania Young European Truck Driver 2010 title, after competing in a field of 17 national round finalists.
The Scania Young European Truck Driver (YETD) is a major part of a global initiative to promote responsible, safe driving, initiated in 2003. By highlighting the role of the driver, Scania hopes to attract more young people into the driving profession.
“The driver is undoubtedly the most important factor in heavy vehicle transport,” said Roger McCarthy, Managing Director of Scania Australia.
“Vehicles and infrastructure are obviously of major significance, but fuel-efficient, safe driving is primarily a matter of human behaviour.
“Through the Scania Young Australian Truck Driver of the Year competition we want to help raise the status of professional drivers and emphasise their great importance to the profitability of transport companies as well as contribute to improve road safety and reduce environmental impacts through improved fuel economy and lower emissions.
“We also want to help attract more young capable drivers into the transport business,” said Mr McCarthy.
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